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Uncle Marvo · 15-09-2006, 12:49 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening

In reply to Bob Hobden ) who wrote this in
, I, Marvo, say :

Paul wrote ...
It's not really an allotment, but I'm getting to the idea of vegging
on the bank. Trouble is, it's on a wicked slope, about 1 in 2. Is
this likely to make it drain too much for most veggies? I know most
stuff need water to produce the bits you eat, apart from root veg.

Anyone had experience of growing veg (particularly legumes) on a
slope like that?

I could quite easily rig up a pump to water it straight from the
river though, as long as the veg was washed properly before eating
that shouldn't be a problem.

I think I might also get competition from Mr Ratty and his friends
the rabbits, but maybe I can fence that off in a Mr McGregor stylee.

A couple of ideas..
One of our allotment members uses water from the local River Bourne
and has an abstraction licence to do that legally, however the
Environment Agency person said he is only to use seep hoses not use
it to spray over the plants. (sewage outfall upstream?) Seep hoses
would not cause you so much of an erosion problem.

I have gardened on a S. facing slope (about 1 in 10), quite useful as
it heats up quicker in the spring etc. but you may have erosion
problems as others have said. 1 in 2 isn't too bad though for a bank
and would lend itself to a couple of retaining walls (like a raised
bed).
Rabbit fencing* is a must on our allotment site anyway but keeping
out the rats is another story, water voles? you should be so lucky. :-) (*
We found AVS Fencing was the cheapest by some margin if there
is one nearish to you)

Thanks for that. I must contact the EA to see about seep/extraction. They
are usually very helpful.

How high a fence will a rabbit jump? I know a rat will climb a 20' wall if
he thinks it's worth it. I thought I might just leave them some food outside
to keep them out :-)